Was Given A Convertible Mystery Bug...Now What?

NickFullTime

Just like the title says. My mom has had her convertible Bug sitting in her garage for about 19 or so years. As far as I know the Bug hasn't run properly since about 1988 (the last year of registration). I believe the last time the engine turned over was probably around 1997. I was talking to my mom recently about wanting to buy a Bus or Westy and she just said, "sell my bug to pay for it."

I waited a few weeks and asked her again to ensure she was serious and she is. Unfortunately she doesn't know anything about it...and it's covered in blankets and boxes. I'm going to work my way to it, but in the meantime I'm coming to you for help. Judging by these pictures what am I working with? Year? Engine? Value?

Sell as non-op? Partially restore and sell? Forget the bus and enjoy my free convertible bug?

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Dake · Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2015 6:47 pm Post subject:

Keep your moms car. Is a family air loom Embarassed

61SNRF · Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2015 6:53 pm Post subject:

I don't know my Late Models that well, but given it only has two vents in the decklid and a Generator will hazard a guess at it being a '68 to ~'70 Beetle Cabriolet, equipped with it's mostly stock 1500cc engine topped with a much older '61-'65 40hp air cleaner, and running a smaller diameter aftermarket "Power Pulley" on the crank.

Simple enough to decode the chassis/VIN number...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/bugchassisdating.php
...and gain spotting tips...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/lit/1969whatyearisit.php

I'd imagine if anyone here in this forum were going to own a late model, a Karman Cab would be high on the list Smile

More friends here...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewforum.php?f=3
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VWCOOL · Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2015 7:10 pm Post subject:

yep around 68-70. The bonnet doesn't look 'fat' enough to be a 71-onwards Super but no matter what, it's ripe for restoration Smile

grandpa pete · Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2015 7:29 pm Post subject:

Fix the brakes and drive it ...
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OLD VW NUT · Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2015 7:31 pm Post subject:

Motor looks like a 1500-1600 single port - funky 68 on bumpers - nose is a standard - I'm guessing 68-70 but the air filter doesn't fit the 68-70 ones. Carb may have been 'worked' to have some of the smog stuff stripped off. Maybe the engine is a 67?

Motor appears to be a 1500/1600 single port. If you get a closer look use this pic as a guide:

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Other car - 2013 VW Golf TDI

NickFullTime · Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2015 9:03 pm Post subject:

it seems the family theory is that it's a '69. I REALLY wanted to get a bus, but I also kind of want to get this restored and working. As far as I know the paint is original, along with most of the hardware. I have to figure out what to do somewhat soon. She's moving again and has decided that she's not taking it with her. I might try to find a VW mechanic in my area (Chino/Ontario, California) and get guesstimates. I not a "car guy" and wouldn't have a clue where to start with restoring, or even diagnosing what's wrong with it. Willing to learn though, I've heard owning older VWs forces one to learn maintenance.

61Ragster · Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2015 9:17 pm Post subject:

Drive it. Then if you'd really rather have a bus, then offload the vert and get a bus. But don't just do nothing and let that thing slip away, cuz you'll regret it forever.
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OLD VW NUT · Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2015 9:17 pm Post subject:

You can either learn how to do periodic maintenance on your car or throw money at the local VW wizard - and hope he's honest. Doing an oil change is easy - and adjusting valves at every oil change is just something you learn to deal with - every 3-4000 miles. Without an oil filter I suggest every 3k miles.

Good luck with the car - it isn't every day an ACVW convert is going to drop into your lap. Come to think of it I've yet to have that happen.

You might want to PM a moderator and have this thread moved to the 68 and up sub forum.
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71 Ghia Coupe - stock body - no rust! Powered by a 2110 W/Dual HPMX 44's - Rancho Pro Street Transaxle - A/C by Gilmore

Other car - 2013 VW Golf TDI

jzjames · Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 8:33 am Post subject:

Big question is do you have a space to work on it?
Then get it out of there and dig in. Yes bugs are basic, not complicated.

Aussiebug · Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 8:39 am Post subject:

My guess is a 69 in Savannah Beige - don't think they had that colour in 68.

And it's hard to see but it looks like a D series engine number - 1200. That might explain the small oil bath air cleaner, since the 1300s and 1500s for 68+ years stayed with the old stuff well into the 70s (1300s were common outside the USA, as were the 1200s).

Then again, the generator look like 12v, so that would make the engine a 1300 F series or 1500 H series, since the 1200s stayed 6v well into the 70s. The 1500s usually had "VW1500" badge on the engine lid, or "AUTOMATIC" if it was a semi-auto.

A very interesting find. Be great to see it restored to original condition (not modded too much) and on the road.
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whobba · Samba Member Joined: March 19, 2002 Posts: 871

neil68 · Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 8:59 pm Post subject: ~68 Beetle

It looks very similar to my '68 Savanna Beige Beetle with single-port 1500 cc engine. It looks like it's in good condition, so you should probably get it running and see how it drives. What is the VIN?
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Der Kleiner Rennwagens
68 Beetle 2332 cc, 204 WHP
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Q-Dog · Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2015 4:57 am Post subject:

Yukon Yellow. Probably a '69. Show us the fuel filler door and we can say for sure.

Would be nice to know why it was parked.
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'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle

snowymonkey · Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2015 8:18 am Post subject:

I agree with everyone here. Pull her out and see what it will take to get her running. Once running it will be worth more any way. Drive it for a bit. I bet you'll fall in love with her. That family history connection really is priceless.
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NickFullTime · Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2015 8:18 pm Post subject:

I think I'm inching toward getting it running first. My dad has offered to keep it at his place to work on it (parents divorced). But I also found out that it's a salvage title (California). Still, probably worth more running.

hitest · Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2015 9:08 pm Post subject:

Non-running original paint car, I'd offer you $1500 locally for it. Running- closer to 3k. Salvage title will prevent that car from ever being big money- so I'd consider it a huge stepping stone for learning how to work on a VW- and a small rock toward a bus purchase.
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[email protected] · Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2015 9:52 pm Post subject:

Use this car as a learning opportunity. Buses are mostly the same except the parts are bigger, heavier, take bigger tools and those bigger heavier parts much more expensive. Take the time to get this running and spend time learning. Read John Muir's book and also get a Bentley specifically for this car. Once you get this one running in top shape you can sell if for a couple thousand more and you will be much more knowledgeable in all things VW.

I do wish I had spend about 6 months lurking on this site before I bought my bug. It would have saved at least 6 months of restoration and many hundreds of dollars.

NickFullTime

Update!

Decided to keep the bug. Mom was happy to know that I wasn't going to sell it. I think she wanted me to keep it the whole time. I'm having Bud's Foreign and Domestic in Ontario, Cali get It up and running, and I plan on learning as much as I can. Got the Muir book for Christmas. I need to get some new wheels as the ones that are on it have rotted. Might not go too fancy with them yet.

I'll make a new thread when I have the bu sitting in my driveway.

hitest

Congratulations! Now I expect to see you combing the swaps at Pomona in two weeks. Save that train set for next winter.

Get that title work started yet?
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